How Cells Obtain and Use Glucose Modeled with AgentSheets

Abstract

The Living Environment curriculum requires students to know how the cell membrane functions as a selectively permeable membrane It will allow certain substances to diffuse across while keeping others out. The substances are then to be used inside the cell. The cell also creates waste products that must be eliminated. Students need to know where inside the cell certain substance are used and/or produced. The problem chosen for this project involves glucose and oxygen that must enter the cell by crossing the cell membrane via appropriate parts of the cell membrane and then the cell must process the glucose and the oxygen. Students will investigate what can happen to the glucose once it is inside the cell. The students will build a model of intercellular and extracellular space separated by a cell membrane that functions by allowing for diffusion of molecules needed by the cell as well as molecules created as waste products within the cell. When the model is complete it should show movement of molecules in the direction of net movement of each specific molecule. The molecules include: Glucose, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide and Water.